The Academic Council of the Delhi University has decided to introduce the semester system in all undergraduate colleges under the university’s aegis from next year (2010-2011).
The decision was taken at an Academic Council meeting held on Friday at the Council Hall. Introduction of the new system is expected to change the entire curriculum of the university.
“The Academic Council passed with an overwhelming majority the proposal to introduce the semester system for all undergraduate courses from the academic year 2010-2011.
Today’s decision comes in the wake of an earlier decision taken by the Academic Council in February 2008, that had accorded approval to the university to introduce semester system for its postgraduate courses from the ensuing academic session of July 2009,” stated a university release.
Aimed at enhancing the quality of learning and career options for its students, the semester system, based on an accumulation of credits, will allow movement of students across universities in India and abroad.
Asked how the system would benefit DU students, Pental said: "While students from other countries who come on short-term `Study Abroad' programmes to our university are awarded credits by their respective universities for the time spent here, our students are deprived of this. Shifting to a semester mode will allow greater exposure to those of our students who get the opportunity to study elsewhere.''
Student involvement will increase and the burden of exams will reduce by 50 per cent,” said P.C.Jain, principal Sri Ram College of Commerce “The papers will be divided into two semesters. This will enable a decrease in the syllabus and also reduce cram ming.” Continuous evaluation “Semesters involve continuous evaluation of students who tend to study only in the last two months before annual exams. It will keepstudents on their toes,” said Meera Ramachandran, principal, Gargi College.
However, many teachers are not happy with the decision and earlier two ACs had to be adjourned amidst protests. According to Abha D Habibi, AC member, "Colleges like St Stephen's, Hans Raj, Miranda House, Khalsa, LSR and Deen Dayal Upadhayay have said no to the system. We are not against the semester system, but we are also not going to be dictated by the University Grants Commission. We are opposing it on the grounds of feasibility and desirability. We are not sure how it was passed as the elected members rushed to the well of the house even before zero hour.''
Teachers are opposing the semester system because of the heterogeneity and diversity in the DU system, unavailability of teaching faculty, addition of another examination, logistical problems and neglect of sports and co-curricular activities.
But the VC thinks otherwise. He said the examination reforms would plug all the bottlenecks by 2010 and the university would be well-placed to implement the system. On other concerns, he said: "First we have to agree that in principle we want to implement it. Then all the faculty members can sit together to finalise the blueprint. A small section of teachers is apprehensive about the system and we will take them into confidence and address their concern.''
On the issue of neglecting sports and extra-curricular activities, the V-C said sufficient time for extracurricular activities for students will be given in the university calendar. |
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